Iethod of amalgamating ores of gold and silver



Patented Apr. 4, I899.

J. E. SUTPHEN.

METHOD OF AMALGAMATINGDRES OF GOLD AND SILVER.

(Application filed Nov. 20, 1897.)

(No Model.)

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NITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN E. S-UTPIIEN, OF ALBANY, NEW YORK.

METHOD OF AMALGAMATING ORES OF GOLD AND SILVER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 622,295, dated April 4, 1899.

Application filed November 20, 1897.

grade ores and those-containing a large percentage of fine flour or float gold.

In the methods heretofore employed for treating such ores a large percentage of the precious metals has been lost because of the fact that small particles of the metals float away during the process of amalgamation.

My method is further specially'adapted to treat ores which are found in a condition which may be described as mechanically protected or housed in a coating of crystallized tourmaline'or of such crystallized tourmaline in combination with oxid of iron.

As illustrated in the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a side view of an amalgamator adapted to be used in carrying out my invention. Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal section of the device shown in Fig. 1, taken on the axial line of the cylinder. Fig. 3 is a vertical cross-section taken on line w a; of Fig. 1.

- Fig. 4 is a plan View of a roller adapted to work within the cylinder of the amalmagator. Fig. 5 is an end view of the roller shown in Fig. 4:. Fig. 6 is an elevation of the inner surface of an inner cylinder-head.

In the drawings, A represents an outer shell or cylinder provided with longitudinal apertures a and with laterally-extending flanges B. This cylinder is also provided with handhole plates 0, preferably arranged opposite each other and depressed and curved at their central portion, so as to form a smooth and even inner surface in harmony with the inner curved surface of the cylinder, as shown in Fig. 3. The outer portion of these hand-hole plates is provided with a flange c, which bears against and by means of suitable bolts and nuts is detachably secured to the corresponding flange a, formed on or secured to the shell or cylinder A.

D represents an inner cylinder-head having a solid central portion, and its outer edge Serialv No. 659,351.

(No specimems.

is provided with bolt-holes which are arranged in line with the corresponding bolt holes formed on the outer flanges B of the cylinder A. This head D is preferably reduced at its outer edge, so as to form a shoulder d at the part where it bears against the inner portion of the cylinder A, so as to extend in part into said cylinder. Openings d are also formed in the outer portion of the head D, arranged in line with the apertures ct of the cylinder.

The outer cylinder-head E is secured to the end of the cylinder A next to the inner head D of the cylinder and is provided on its outer edge with bolt-holes registering with the corresponding bolt-holes in the outer portion of the inner-head D and the cylinder-flange B, respectively. The inner portion of the outer heads E is provided with an offset ring. 6, which places the main portion of the outer head E at a distance from the inner head D of the cylinder, thereby forming a heat-chamber F between such inner and outer heads. The central portions of the outer heads E are provided with hollow trunnions G, connecting with the inner steam or heat chamber F, hereinbefore described. These trunnions G are provided with driving-pulleys K and are j ournaled on suitable standards H, provided with journal-bearings I. The ends of the trunnions G are also provided with suitable coup-- lings L, adapted to admit heat into the heatchamber F.

M represents a roller arranged within the cylinder and provided with regular outlines and. a smooth outer surface adapted to permit' such roller to bear evenly and steadily upon the materials inside the cylinder and to prevent any sudden or irregular movements of such roller.

In carrying out my invention the sand containing the ores is first deprived .of all moisture, which may be done by means of the ordinary cylindrical drier. After the sand has been thoroughly dried it is ground into a very fine powder adapted to pass through a wire screen of about 150 mesh. This grinding process exposes the gold on the inner portions of the sand and removes to a large extent the outer coating of crystallized tourmaline or oxid of iron, or both, and burnishes the metallic condition of the gold, whereby it may become readily operated upon and influenced contact with the pulp in the cylinder.

by the action of the mercury, as hereinafter described. After the sands or ores have been thus dried and ground the powder is placed in a hopper and mixed with suitable chemicals of the kinds and quantities now ordinarily used and moisture enough added to the mass to produce a thick paste or pulp. After the sands and chemicals have been thoroughly mixed together the pulp or paste is placed within the cylinder A. (Shown in the accompanying drawings.) The usual quantity of mercury is then added to the pulp within the cylinder, and the mercury and pulp are subjected to the action of heat and a steady and even pressure. The heat is applied to the mass by steam passing through the hollow trunnions G of the cylinderheads E into the chambers F between the inner cylinder-heads D and the outer cylinder-heads E. From these chambers it passes into the apertures a, formed in the cylinder A. I prefer to use steam heat, for the reason that the moisture accompanying such heat obviates many objectionable results produced by dry heat. The heat when applied as before described is not permitted to come in direct The heat thus applied to lhe materials in the cylinder expands the mercury to as great an extent as possible without volatilizing the same. At the same time the material in the cylinder is subjected to the action of heat themercury is pressed into close contact with such material by means of the roller M, having a steady and even movement, and causes the mercury to readily amalgamate with the gold and silver. This even and uniform pressure produced by the roller causes the mercury to remain in a compact mass, and in this way the fine float-gold is brought in contact with the mercury, and a much larger percentage of such gold is saved than can be preserved by any process heretofore used, for the reason that in prior devices and processes in which balls of metal, rollers, or analogous devices have been used within a cylinder it has been found that the irregular or uneven movement of such devices produces jars and concussions which cause the mercury to become separated into fine globules, which become suspended in the liquids, float away, and become lost. After the amalgamation has been completed the ore is retort-ed and parted in the usual manner.

The mechanism illustrated in the accompanying drawings is made the subject of a separate application, and no claim is made herein therefore to such construction.

Vhat I claim is- The method of amalgamating ores of gold and silver, consisting in applying a suitable quantity of mercury to ore-pulp confined in a cylinder, and subjecting such pulp and mercury to the action of heat, and at the same time applying a steady pressure upon the pulp and mercury, keeping the mercury in a homogeneous body and in close contact with the ores, substantially as shown and described.

JOHN E. SUTPIIEN.

Witnesses:

ROBERT W. HARDIE, GAYLORD LOGAN. 

